WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - Monmouth University, which scored a goal in the opening three minutes of each half, posted a 3-0 victory over Lafayette in women's soccer action, on Friday afternoon on The Great Lawn. The Hawks, who received scores from Kim Malecki, Dana Costello and Mary Wilks in the home triumph, improve to 5-3 on the season.
"Today was a solid team performance on The Great Lawn," commented head coach Krissy Turner. "Kim scored a great first goal for us, and that set the tone for the match."
In its final non-conference match of the year, Monmouth jumped out early when Malecki stole a ball from the defense and beat Lafayette goalkeeper Lauren Smedley with a sliding touch and a 1-0 lead in the third minute.
The Hawks increased the lead to 2-0 just 1:30 into the second half when Stacy Kadell launched a ball from the backline, which Costello ran onto and finished for her team-leading sixth tally of the year.
With just under 17 minutes remaining in the match, the Leopards (4-5) generated their best scoring opportunity when Jill Dozier won a 50-50 ball and found Mackenzie Moore at the top of the box, but Moore's service sailed wide left.
Kadell assisted on the Hawks' third score as well, as the back fed Wilks from deep in Monmouth territory and the senior bested Smedley for her fourth goal, and a 3-0 advantage.
The Hawks nearly claimed a 4-0 lead with four minutes left when freshman Kimberly Dahl crossed a ball into the box, which sophomore Claudia Vazquez nodded on frame, but Smedley made a diving save.
Monmouth outshot Lafayette 16-2 in the match, forcing Smedley to make eight saves, while senior Lia Fierro made one save for the Hawks, in her fourth shutout on the year. Fierro, who registered her 44th career victory for the Blue and White, collected career shutout number 33 for the Hawks, which moved her within two from surpassing all-time leader Lori Houlihan.
Monmouth also held a 5-1 edge in corner kick opportunities.
Monmouth returns to action on Tuesday, September 28, when the Hawks open their 2010 Northeast Conference slate at Mount St. Mary's. Kick-off is set for 4:00 p.m., in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
